Heel support for athletic shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe including a heel support integrally formed of a material different from the midsole material of a rear sole for supporting the foot of a user. The heel support includes a wall along at least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe that extends vertically at least in part and includes at least one window through which at least a portion of the midsole material of the rear sole is exposed to and visible from outside the shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/447,003, filed May 28,2003; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/007,535, filedDec. 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,300; which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 09/641,148, filed Aug. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,324,772; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/512,433,filed Feb. 25, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,195,916; which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 09/313,667, filed May 18, 1999, nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,050,002; which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/723,857, filed Sep. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,384; which is aCIP of Ser. No. 08/291,945, filed Aug. 17, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No.5,560,126; all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an improved rear sole forfootwear and, more particularly, to a rear sole for an athletic shoewith an extended and more versatile life and better performance in termsof cushioning and spring.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Athletic shoes, such as those designed for running, tennis, basketball,cross-training, hiking, walking, and other forms of exercise, typicallyinclude a laminated sole attached to a soft and pliable upper. Thelaminated sole generally includes a resilient rubber outsole attached toa more resilient midsole usually made of polyurethane, ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), or a rubber compound. When laminated, the sole isattached to the upper as a one-piece structure, with the rear sole beingintegral with the forward sole.

One of the principal problems associated with athletic shoes is outsolewear. A user rarely has a choice of running surfaces, and asphalt andother abrasive surfaces take a tremendous toll on the outsole. Thisproblem is exacerbated by the fact that most pronounced outsole wear, onrunning shoes in particular, occurs principally in two places: the outerperiphery of the heel and the ball of the foot, with peripheral heelwear being, by far, a more acute problem. In fact, the heel typicallywears out much faster than the rest of a running shoe, thus requiringreplacement of the entire shoe even though the bulk of the shoe is stillin satisfactory condition.

Midsole compression, particularly in the case of athletic shoes, isanother acute problem. As previously noted, the midsole is generallymade of a resilient material to provide cushioning for the user.However, after repeated use, the midsole becomes compressed due to thelarge forces exerted on it, thereby causing it to lose its cushioningeffect. Midsole compression is the worst in the heel area, including thearea directly under the user's heel bone and the area directly above theperipheral outsole wear spot.

Despite technological advancements in recent years in midsole design andconstruction, the benefits of such advancements can still be largelynegated, particularly in the heel area, by two months of regular use.The problems become costly for the user since athletic shoes arebecoming more expensive each year, with some top-of-the-line modelspriced at over $150.00 a pair. By contrast, with dress shoes, whoseheels can be replaced at nominal cost over and over again, the heel area(midsole and outsole) of conventional athletic shoes cannot be. To date,there is nothing in the art that successfully addresses the problem ofmidsole compression in athletic shoes, and this problem remainsespecially severe in the heel area of such shoes.

Another problem is that purchasers of conventional athletic shoes cannotcustomize the cushioning or spring in the heel of a shoe to their ownbody weight, personal preference, or need. They are “stuck” withwhatever a manufacturer happens to provide in their shoe size.

Finally, there appear to be relatively few, if any, footwear optionsavailable to those persons suffering from foot or leg irregularities,foot or leg injuries, and legs of different lengths, among other things,where there is a need for the left and right rear soles to be of adifferent height and/or different cushioning or spring properties.Presently, such options appear to include only custom-made shoes thatare prohibitively expensive and rendered useless if the person'scondition improves or deteriorates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shoe that substantially obviatesone or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of therelated art.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theobjectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized andattained by the shoes and shoe systems particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims, as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the shoeincludes an upper having a heel region, a rear sole secured below theheel region of the upper, and a rear sole support attached to the upperand configured to secure the rear sole below the heel region of theupper. The rear sole support includes a flexible region positioned belowthe heel region of the upper and above a portion of the rear sole. Theflexible region is sufficiently stiff to support a user while stillbeing sufficiently flexible to flex and spring when the user runs orwalks vigorously. The flexible region has an interior portion which inits normal, unflexed state is spaced upwardly from the portion of therear sole immediately below said interior portion, the interior portionbeing adapted to flex in a direction substantially perpendicular to themajor longitudinal axis of the shoe as it is used.

The interior portion of the flexible region preferably is elevatedrelative to its peripheral portion in a direction toward the heel regionof the upper. In certain embodiments the flexible region is an integralpart of the rear sole support. The rear sole support may include anintegral arch extension extending below the upper from a positionproximate the heel region of the upper through a substantial portion ofthe arch region of the upper to support the arch region.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the shoe of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of a rear sole support, flexiblemember, and rear sole for the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of a rearsole support, flexible member, and rear sole for use in the shoe of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 4-18 are isometric views of exemplary flexible member embodimentsfor use in the shoe of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of another embodiment of a rear solesupport for use in the shoe of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the shoe of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are isometric views of a rear sole support for the shoeof FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the shoe of thepresent invention.

FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a rear sole support for the shoe of FIG.23.

FIG. 25 is a side elevation view of a securing member for use in theshoe of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a partial cut-away isometric view of the securing member ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the shoe ofthe present invention.

FIG. 28 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the shoe of thepresent invention.

FIG. 29 is an exploded isometric view of a heel support and rear solefor the shoe of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is another exploded isometric view of the heel support and rearsole of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a side elevation view of the rear sole of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a side elevation view of another rear sole that can be usedin the embodiment shown in FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is an exploded isometric view of a heel support, graphiteinsert, and rear sole for use in the shoe of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of a heelsupport, graphite insert, and rear sole for use in the shoe of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 35-37 are views of a rear sole for use in the shoe of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characterswill be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the shoe of the presentinvention. The shoe, designated generally as 100, has a shoe upper 120,rear sole support 140, a rear sole 150, and a forward sole 160. Shoe 100also preferably includes a flexible member 200 (FIG. 2) positionedbetween rear sole 150 and a heel region of upper 120. The flexiblemember provides spring to the user's gait cycle upon heel strike andreduces or eliminates interior rear midsole compression in that it ismore durable than conventional midsole material.

Upper 120 may be composed of a soft, pliable material that covers thetop and sides of the user's foot during use. Leather, nylon, and othersynthetics are examples of the various types of materials known in theart for shoe uppers. The particular construction of the upper is notcritical to the shoe of the present invention. It may even beconstructed as a sandal or may be made of molded plastic, integral withthe rear sole support, as in the case of ski boots or roller bladeuppers.

Forward sole 160 is attached to upper 120 in a conventional manner,typically by injection molding, stitching, or gluing. Forward sole 160typically includes two layers: an elastomeric midsole laminated to anabrasion-resistant outsole. The particular construction of the forwardsole is not critical to the invention and various configurations may beused. For example, the midsole may be composed of material such aspolyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and may include airbladders or gel-filled tubes encased therein, and the outsole may becomposed of, by means of example only, an abrasion-resistant rubbercompound.

Rear sole support 140 is also attached to the heel region of upper 120in a conventional manner, such as injection molding, stitching, orgluing. Rear sole support 140 is substantially rigid and is configuredto stabilize the heel region of upper 120 and secure rear sole 150 belowthe heel region. As shown in FIG. 2, rear sole support 140 may includean upwardly extending wall 142, referred to as a heel counter, thatsurrounds the periphery of the heel region of upper 120 to providelateral stabilization. Wall 142 preferably surrounds the rear and sidesof upper 120 proximate the heel region and in service supports andstabilizes the user's heel as he or she runs. Rear sole support 140 alsoincludes a downwardly extending side wall 144 that defines a recess 146sized to receive a portion of rear sole 150, preferably a rear solewhich is removable and rotatable to several predetermined positions.Wall 144 shown in FIG. 2 is generally circular and securely contains andholds rear sole 150. A plurality of openings 145 is formed in wall 144to facilitate securement of rear sole 150 to rear sole support 140. Thecomponents of rear sole support 140 are preferably made integral throughinjection molding or other conventional techniques and are preferablycomposed of plastic, such as a durable plastic manufactured under thename PEBAX. It is further contemplated that the rear sole support can bemade from a variety of materials, including without limitation otherinjection-molded thermoplastic engineering resins.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rear sole support 140 may include an archextension or support 180 to provide a firm support for the arch of thefoot and to alleviate potential gapping problems where sole support wall144 would be adjacent forward sole 160. Arch extension 180 generallyextends below upper 120 from the forward portion of side wall 144,through the arch region. It may extend as far as the ball of the foot.It is attached to upper 120 and forward sole 160 by gluing or otherconventional methods. Arch extension 180 may be composed of the samematerial as the rear sole support and made integral with rear solesupport 140 by injection molding. Alternatively, it may be made of thesame or a different stiff but flexible material (such as carbon orfiberglass ribbons in a resin binder) and glued to rear sole support140. Such one-piece construction of the arch extension together with therear sole support solves another major problem, namely the tendency ofan athletic shoe of conventional resilient material in the arch area tocurl at the juncture of the substantially rigid rear sole support withthe resilient forward sole.

Shoe 100 also includes a rear sole 150 that is detachably secured toand/or rotatably positionable relative to rear sole support 140. Rearsole 150, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a rubber ground-engaging outsole154 containing a planar area and three beveled segments or portions thatsoften heel strike during use. As shown, the beveled segments orportions formed on the outsole have the same shape and configuration andare positioned symmetrically about the periphery of the outside andpreferably symmetrically positioned about the center of rear sole 150.As explained in more detail, rear sole 150 and the attachment featuresthat permit rear sole 150 to be placed and locked into differentpositions relative to rear sole support 140 are designed and configuredso that one symmetrically located beveled portion can be moved into theposition previously occupied by another beveled portion. As a result, asone of the beveled portions begins to wear, rear sole 150 can berepositioned to place an unworn beveled portion in the area of the shoewhere there is greater wear for a particular user. By periodicallyaltering the position of the sole before any beveled portion is badlyworn, (or any midsole material directly above the bevel is badlycompressed) the life and effectiveness of the rear sole, and the entireshoe, can be significantly increased. Moreover, after a given rear solewears beyond its point of usefulness, it can be replaced with a new solewith the same or different characteristics. Prior to replacement, it isalso possible that left and right rear soles may be exchanged with eachother inasmuch as left and right rear soles often exhibit opposite wearpatterns.

As shown in FIG. 2, rear sole 150 also includes a midsole 158 laminatedto outsole 154. Midsole 158 includes a substantially cylindrical lowerportion 162 and a substantially cylindrical upper portion 164 that issmaller in diameter than lower portion 162. Upper portion 164 includes aplurality of resilient knobs 165 that mate with openings 145 in rearsole support 140. As shown, the resilient knobs 165 and openings 145 aresymmetrically positioned about the central axis of midsole 158 and therecess of rear sole support 140, respectively. To secure rear sole 150to rear sole support 140, rear sole 150 is simply press-fitted intorecess 146 until knobs 165 engage corresponding openings 145. Thismanner of locking rear sole 150 into the shoe at any one of severalpositions is one of several mechanical ways in which the rear sole canbe removed, repositioned, and/or locked to the rear sole support orother part of a shoe.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, upper midsole portion 164 has adiameter at least equal to and preferably slightly larger than that ofthe recess into which it fits. Midsole portion 162 has a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter defined by the exterior portion ofcircular wall 144. This configuration of elements eliminates anyvertical gapping problems from occurring between the wall of the rearsole support and the peripheral surface of the rear sole.

The inside diameter of a circular recess 146, as measured between theinside surfaces of its sidewalls, or the distance between the insidesurface of a medial sidewall and the inside surface of an oppositelateral sidewall in the case of a non-circular recess (not shown), mayactually be greater than the width of the heel region of the shoe upperas measured from the exterior surface of the medial side of the heelregion of the upper to the exterior surface of the lateral side of theheel region of the upper (i.e., the heel region of the upper at itswidest point). This is possible because the material used to make therear sole support 140 and side walls is sufficiently strong and durableto permit the side walls to “flare out” to a greater width than the heelregion of the upper without risk of breakage. This in turn permits theuse of a larger rear sole 150 with more ground-engaging surface and,hence, more stability. (As stated, the exterior walls of the lowerportion of the rear sole generally align vertically with the exteriorsurface of the side walls forming the recess 146). It also permits theemployment of a flexible region or member with a correspondingly largerdiameter, width or length because its peripheral edges optimally shouldalign vertically with the load-bearing side walls of the recess. Such alarger flexible region or member, with a diameter, width or lengthgreater than the width of the heel region of the upper at its widestpoint, creates more cushioning and/or spring for the user's heel duringthe gait cycle. The observations and provisions contained in thisparagraph are equally applicable to the embodiments described in FIGS.1, 2, and 3.

Rear sole 150 is preferably made from two different materials: anabrasion-resistant rubber compound for ground-engaging outsole 154; anda softer, more elastomeric material such as polyurethane or ethylenevinyl acetate (EVA) for midsole 158. However, rear sole 150 could becomprised of a single homogenous material, or two materials (e.g., EVAenveloped by hard rubber), as well as a material comprising airencapsulating tubes, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,300.For each of the discussed rear sole embodiments, the outsole and midsolematerials are preferably more resilient than materials used for the rearsole support or arch extension.

Detachability of rear sole 150 allows the user to change rear solesentirely when either the sole is worn to a significant degree or theuser desires a different sole for desired performance characteristicsfor specific athletic endeavors or playing surfaces. The user can rotatethe rear sole to relocate a worn section to a less critical area of thesole, and eventually replace the rear sole altogether when the sole isexcessively worn. By periodically changing the position of the rearsole, more uniform wear and long life (both outsole and midsole) can beachieved. Additional longevity in wear may also be achieved byinterchanging removable rear soles as between the right and left shoes,which typically exhibit opposite wear patterns.

In addition, some users will prefer to change the rear soles not becauseof adverse wear patterns, but because of a desire for differentperformance characteristics or playing surfaces. For example, it iscontemplated that a person using this invention in a shoe marketed as a“cross-trainer” may desire one type of rear sole for one sport, such asbasketball, and another type of rear sole for another, such as running.A basketball player might require a harder and firmer rear sole forstability where quick, lateral movement is essential, whereas a runneror jogger might tend to favor increased shock absorption featuresachievable from a softer, more cushioned heel. Similarly, a joggerplanning a run outside on rough asphalt or cement might prefer a moreresilient rear sole than the type that would be suitable to run on analready resilient indoor wooden track. Rear sole performance may alsodepend on the weight of the user or the amount or type of cushioningdesired.

The present invention includes a shoe or shoe kit which includes or canaccept a plurality of rear soles 150 having different characteristicsand/or surface configurations, thereby providing a cross trainer shoe.As explained in more detail below, the shoe can also be designed toaccept and use different flexible members in the rear sole area, toachieve optimal flex and cushioning, through the combination of aflexible member and rear sole selected to provide the most desirableflex, cushion, wear, support, and traction for a given application. In apreferred embodiment, both the rear sole and the flexible member arereplaceable and a given rear sole can be locked in a plurality ofseparate positions relative to the recess in which it is held.

Since rear sole 150 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is selectively positionablerelative to rear sole support 140 in a single plane about an axisperpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, it may bemoved to a plurality of positions with a means provided to allow theuser to secure the rear sole at each desired position. After a period ofuse, outsole 154 will exhibit a wear pattern at the point in which theheel first contacts the ground, when the user is running, for example.Excessive wear normally occurs at this point, and at midsole 158generally above this point, degrading the performance of the rear sole.When the user determines that the wear in this area is significant, theuser can rotate the rear sole so that the worn portion will no longer bein the location of the user's first heel strike. For the shoe shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, rotation is accomplished by detaching the rear sole andreattaching at the desired location. For the embodiment in FIG. 3discussed below, the rear sole may be rotated without separating it fromthe rear sole support. The number of positions into which rear sole ofFIGS. 1 and 2 can be rotated is limited by the number of knobs/openings,but is unlimited for the rear sole shown in FIG. 3. The use of othermechanical locking systems to allow selective movement and locking ofthe rear sole is contemplated within the spirit of the invention.

Rotating the rear sole about an axis normal to the shoe's major axis toa position, for example, 180 degrees beyond its starting point, willlocate the worn portion of the rear sole at or near the instep portionof the shoe. The instep portion is an area of less importance fortractioning, stability, cushioning and shock absorbing purposes. As longas the worn portion of the rear sole is rotated beyond the area of theinitial heel strike, prolonged use of the rear sole is possible. Theuser can continue periodically to rotate the rear sole so that an unwornportion of the rear sole is located in the area of the first heelstrike.

The shape of rear sole can be circular, polygonal, elliptical,“sand-dollar,” elongated “sand-dollar,” or otherwise. The shape ofrecess 146 is formed to be compatible with the shape of the rear sole.In all embodiments, the invention includes mechanical means forselectively locking the rear sole relative to the rear sole support andupper of the shoe. Preferably, the rear sole is shaped so that at leastthe rear edge of the outsole has a substantially identical profile atseveral, or preferably each rotated position. To allow for a pluralityof rotatable positions, the shape of the outsole preferably should besymmetrical about its central axis. As shown in FIG. 1, the rear solehas three beveled portions which are symmetrically positioned about itscentral axis. The user in this embodiment can rotate the rear sole120.degree. and place an unworn beveled portion at the rear heel regionof the shoe, where wear is often maximum. Alternatively, the rear solecould have two beveled portions, 180.degree. apart (in an ovalembodiment this would have to be the case), in which event only onerotation per shoe, plus an exchange between right and left rear soles,would be possible, before replacement of rear soles would be necessary.

While the above discussion is directed towards a rear sole that rotatesor separates in its entirety, it is specifically contemplated that thesame benefits of this invention can be achieved if only a portion of therear sole is rotatable or removable. For example, a portion of the rearsole, e.g., the center area, may remain stationary while the peripheryof the ground-engaging surface or outsole rotates and/or is detachable.As another example, the rear sole may not be removable but onlyrotatably positionable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the shoe of the presentinvention includes a flexible region 200 that is positioned above therear sole and has a central portion that in its normal unflexed state isspaced upwardly from the portion of the shoe (rear sole support, or rearsole) immediately below it. The flexible region 200 is designed toprovide a preselected degree of flex, cushioning, and spring, to therebyreduce or eliminate heel-center midsole compression found inconventional materials. Flexible region 200 is made of stiff, butflexible, material. Examples of materials that may be used in themanufacture of flexible member 200 include the following: graphite;fiberglass; graphite (carbon) fibers set in a resin (i.e. acrylic resin)binder; fiberglass fibers set in a resin (i.e. acrylic resin) binder; acombination of graphite (carbon) fibers and fiberglass fibers set in aresin (i.e. acrylic resin) binder; nylon; glass-filled nylon; epoxy;polypropylene; polyethylene; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS);other types of injection-molded thermoplastic engineering resins; springsteel; and stainless spring steel. The flexible region 200 can beincorporated into other elements of the shoe or can be a separateflexible member or plate.

As shown in FIG. 2, flexible member 200 can be in the form of a platesupported at its peripheral region by an upward facing top surface ofrear sole support 140. In this embodiment, the member or plate 200 ispositioned between the rear sole 150 and the heel portion of upper 120.A ledge 148 may be formed in rear sole support 140 to support andlaterally stabilize flexible member 200.

The flexible member may also be permanently attached to the top orbottom of the rear sole support or detachably secured to the shoe upperand removable through a pocket formed in the material (not shown)typically located on the bottom surface of the upper, or it can beexposed and removed after removing the sock liner or after lifting therear portion of the sock liner. Alternatively, it may be totally exposedas in the case of flexible member 200 shown in FIG. 18, wherein theU-shaped cushioning member may have direct contact with the user's heelwithout an intervening sock liner in the heel portion of the shoe. Theremovability of the flexible member allows the use of several differenttypes of flexible members of varying stiffness or composition and,therefore, can be adapted according to the weight of the runner, theability of the runner, the type of exercise involved, or the amount ofcushioning and/or spring desired in the heel of the shoe.

Rear sole 150 may have a concave top surface 167, as shown in FIG. 2.Therefore, when the rear sole is attached to the rear sole support, thetop surface of the rear sole does not come into contact with theflexible member when the flexible member deflects within its designedrange of flex. As a result, the middle of the flexible member can flexunder the weight of the user without being impeded by rear sole 150.Flexible member 200 thus acts like a trampoline to provide extra springin the user's gait in addition to minimizing, or preventing, midsolecompression in the central portion of the rear sole.

A second preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, arear sole 250 is identical to rear sole 150 shown in FIG. 2 except thatit has a groove 254 below upper midsole portion 252, instead of knobs165. A rear sole support 240 includes a downwardly extending wall 244that has a serrated bottom edge 246 and a threaded inner surface 248.Rear sole support 240 also includes an upper rim 249.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 also indicates a threaded ring 400. Ring 400includes a threaded outer surface 410 that mates with threaded innersurface 248 of rear sole support 240. The ring also includes anoutwardly and inwardly extending flange 412 that presses againstserrated bottom edge 246 when the ring is screwed into the rear solesupport. The bottom surface of flange 412 includes anchors 414, and mayalso be serrated to further grip the rear sole to prevent rotation. Thering also has two ends 416 and 418, and end 416 may have a male memberand end 418 may be shaped to receive the male member to lock the twoends together. Ring 400 may be made of hard plastic or othersubstantially rigid materials that provide a secure engagement with rearsole support 240 and a firm foundation for supporting flexible member200.

Rear sole 250 is attached to rear sole support 240 by unlocking the endsof ring 400 and positioning ring 400 around upper midsole portion 252 ofthe rear sole such that flange 412 engages groove 254. Ring 400 is thenfirmly locked onto the rear sole by mating end 416 with end 418.Flexible member 200 is inserted into the rear sole support so that itpresses against upper rim 249. Ring 400, with rear sole 250 attached, isthen screwed into the rear sole support by engaging threaded surface 410of the ring with threaded surface 248 of wall 244. The ring is thenscrewed into the rear sole support until serrated edge 246 of wall 244engages flange 412 of ring 400. Serrated edge 246 serves to preventrotation of the ring during use and the top edge of ring 400 firmlysupports flexible member 200.

The rear sole support sidewalls need not be continuous around the entirerecess. Such sidewalls may be substantially eliminated on the lateraland medial sides of the rear sole support, or even at the rear and/orfront of the rear sole support, exposing ring 400 when installed, evenallowing it to protrude through the sidewalls where the openings arecreated. This has no effect whatsoever on the thread alignment on theinside surface of the remaining sidewalls. The advantage of doing thisis that a ring with a slightly larger diameter than otherwise possibleand, hence, a flexible member with a slightly larger diameter thanotherwise possible may be employed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a variety of different flexiblemembers 200 having different flex and cushioning characteristics can beselectively incorporated into the shoe. Flexible member 200, onceincorporated into the shoe, is securely held in place with rear solesupport 240. Preferably, the rear sole support contacts flexible member200 only along its outer periphery, and rear sole support 240 includesan opening above the flexible member, thereby permitting the plate toprotrude upwardly toward the user's heel. Moreover, because the topsurface of rear sole 250 is preferably concave in shape, the centralportion of the rear sole does not contact the central portion of theflexible member in its unflexed, normal position. As a result, theflexible member can also flex downward. The degree of flexing of themember can be controlled both by the selection of the material and shapeof the member, as well as the relative dimensions and shape of rear solesupport 240 and rear sole 250. While flexible member 200 and thecorresponding recess in rear sole support 240 are circular in FIG. 3,other shapes can be utilized. Rear sole support 240 could be designed toinclude a recess above upper rim 249 to accept the flexible member and amechanical means, such as a circular locking ring, similar to ring 400,to support and lock the flexible member in place. In such an embodiment,the user could change the flexible member from the inside of the shoe.Similarly, the flexible member 200 could be fixedly secured to, orincorporated as an integral part, of either the rear sole support or therear sole. Similar configurations of an integral flexible region arewithin the spirit of the invention.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 and other embodiments of the inventionpreferably provide a shoe that includes a flexible region or memberwhich has its own preselected spring and cushioning characteristic andwhich is preferably removable and replaceable, a rear sole with its ownpre-selected cushioning properties (both outsole and midsole) and whichis preferably removable, replaceable, and capable of being locked inplace at a plurality of preselected positions; a plurality of beveledportions on the outer surface of the rear sole which are preferablysymmetrically located about its axis; and an interrelationship of theflexible member, rear sole support, and rear sole which permit theflexible member to freely flex to at least a predetermined degree. Theflexible region and its characteristics, the rear sole and itscharacteristics, and the rear sole's relative location to the flexibleregion can be selectively altered, to provide in combination an optimalshoe for a given application. Also, because of the rear sole rotationand replacement permitted by the invention, typically heavy outsolematerial may be made thinner than on conventional athletic shoes, thusreducing the weight of the shoe. The invention also permits the weightof the shoe to be further reduced because the central portion of themidsole of the rear sole can be eliminated, since the flexible region ofthe shoe provides weight bearing and cushioning at this area.

Other rear sole support/rear sole combinations for securing the rearsole to the shoe and for supporting the flexible member at or below theheel region of the upper are contemplated and fall within the spirit ofthis invention, as described and claimed. By means of example only, somesuch additional configurations are disclosed in commonly-owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/291,945, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,126,which is incorporated herein by reference.

The flexible region of the present invention is not limited to acircular shape and can be adapted to conform to the shape of the rearsole. The flexible region also need not be used only in conjunction witha detachable rear sole, but can be used with permanently attached rearsoles as well.

FIGS. 4-17 show various alternative embodiments of the flexible member.In each of these embodiments, the flexible member may be curved orconvex in shape, or have an inwardly curved or concave bottom surface,such that the interior portion of the flexible member is elevatedrelative to its periphery when the flexible member is positioned in theshoe in its normal position. Each of the following flexible memberembodiments may be used in conjunction with the rear sole support/rearsole combinations disclosed in FIGS. 1-3 and more generally disclosed inthis disclosure in its entirety. In addition, the following disclosedembodiments of flexible members can be integrally incorporated into aportion of the shoe. In either event, the resultant shoe has a flexibleregion which provides a preselected flex and spring.

As shown in FIG. 4, flexible member 500 has a concave under surface 502(when viewed from its bottom) and an opposing convex upper surface, andis circular in shape. As a result, the interior portion of the flexiblemember 500 is elevated relative to its peripheral portion and ispositioned above a portion of the rear sole of the user when supportedin the shoe.

Flexible members 510 and 520 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively, aresimilar in structure to flexible member 500 except that flexible member510 has a bottom surface 514 and a moon-shaped notch 512 and flexiblemember 520 has a bottom surface 524 and two opposing moon-shaped notches522. Notch 512 of flexible member 510 is preferably aligned with theback of the rear sole. One of notches 522 of flexible member 520 may bealigned with the back of the rear sole, or alternatively such notchesmay be aligned with the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. Flexiblemember 530 as shown in FIG. 7 is identical in structure to flexiblemember 520 shown in FIG. 6 except that it is not spherically convex inshape, but rather convexly curved in only one direction. The flexiblemember 530 alignment options are the same as those of flexible member520.

As shown in FIG. 8, flexible member 540 includes a plurality of spokes542 each joined at one end to a hub 544 and joined at an opposite end torim 546. The size, shape, and number of spokes is variable depending onthe desired flexibility. As shown in FIG. 8, each of spokes 542 has atriangular cross-section, although the cross-section may also be square,rectangular, or any other geometrical shape. When positioned in theshoe, hub 544 is elevated relative to rim 546 such that hub 544 iscloser to the heel region of the upper.

The flexible members shown in FIGS. 9-12 are variations of flexiblemember 540 shown in FIG. 8. Flexible member 550 shown in FIG. 9 isidentical in structure to flexible member 540, but includes webbing 552covering the top surface of flexible member 550 and joining each ofspokes 542 to reinforce flexible member 550. Webbing 552 may beinjection molded with the rest of flexible member. Flexible member 560shown in FIG. 10 is similar in structure to flexible member 540 shown inFIG. 8; however, spokes 562 decrease in thickness between hub 564 andthe central portion of each of the spokes 562 and then increase inthickness from the central portion toward rim 566.

Flexible member 570, shown in FIG. 11, also includes a plurality ofspokes 572 joined at opposite ends to hub 574 and rim 576. In thisembodiment, the thickness of the spokes decreases in a direction fromhub 574 toward rim 576. As shown in FIG. 11, the decreasing thickness ofspokes 572 results in at least a portion of the interior portion offlexible member 570 in the area of the decreasing thickness spokes 572being thinner than at least a portion of its peripheral edges or rim576. Hub 574 and other portions of the center portion of the interiorportion of flexible member 570 are shown as being thicker than anotherportion of the interior portion of flexible member 570, such as in thearea of decreased spoke thickness. As shown in FIG. 11, center portionor hub 574 and peripheral edge or rim 576 may both be thicker than aportion of the interior portion of flexible member 570 between hub 574and rim 576. In addition, webbing 578 may be placed over the top surfaceof flexible member 570 similar to that disclosed in FIG. 9. As shown inFIG. 11, spokes 572 are preferably oriented such that each spoke isoriented 180 degrees from an opposite spoke to provide a rib thatextends substantially across flexible member 570. Whether referred to asopposite spokes 572 or a rib the thickness may be varied. The rib ispreferable integrally formed with flexible member 570 and morepreferably is on the bottom surface or concave surface of flexiblemember 570. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a hole may be provided throughflexible member 570 and more particularly, through the center or hub574. As can be further determined from FIG. 11, flexible member 570 maybe substantially planar in shape, but is not conical in shape.

FIG. 12 illustrates a housing 580 for supporting the flexible member, inthis example, flexible member 560. Housing 580 has an L-shapedcross-section to support the bottom and side surfaces of rim 566.Housing 580 may be inserted into the shoe heel with flexible member 560or may be permanently affixed to the rear sole support. In either case,housing 580 acts as a reinforcement for limiting or eliminating lateralmovement of flexible member 560 during use. This may have the effect ofmaking the center of the flexible member more springy. It may also allowthe member to be made of thinner and/or lighter weight material.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show further variations of flexible plate 500 shown inFIG. 4. While flexible plate 500 has a generally uniform thickness atany given radius, flexible plate 585 shown in FIG. 13 decreases inthickness from the center of the member toward its periphery. Flexiblemember 590 shown in FIG. 14, on the other hand, is thicker near thecenter and at the periphery, but thinner therebetween.

FIGS. 15-17A disclose flexible members composed of carbon ribbons set ina resin binder. Alternatively, they may be fiberglass ribbons or acombination of carbon and fiberglass ribbons. Ribbons made of othertypes of fiber may also be used. Flexible member 600 includes radiallyor diametrically projecting ribbons 602, either emanating from thecenter of flexible member toward its periphery or, preferably, passingthrough the center from a point on the periphery to a diametricallyopposite point on the periphery. These ribbons 602 are fixed in positionby a resin binder 604 known in the art. Flexible member 610 shown inFIG. 16 also includes carbon ribbons 602 set in a resin binder 604, butfurther includes a rim 606 comprised of ribbon preset in the resinbinder and defining the periphery of flexible member 610. Flexiblemember 620 shown in FIG. 17 is identical to flexible member 610 shown inFIG. 16 except that it further includes a circular ribbon 608 disposedin resin binder 604 and circumscribing the center of flexible member620. The flexible member shown in FIG. 17A is identical to the flexiblemember 610 shown in FIG. 17 except that it has fewer spokes and furtherincludes a plurality of circular ribbons 608 spaced radially from thecenter of the member and disposed in the resin binder 604. Flexiblemembers 600, 610, and 620 may be convex in shape so that the center ofthe flexible member is raised relative to its outer perimeter, whenplaced in the shoe. They may also have a U-shaped cushioning memberplaced on or secured to their top surface like that shown in FIG. 18.

Since it is contemplated that the flexible member will be composed ofgraphite or other stiff, but flexible, material, it is preferable tocushion the impact of the user's heel against the flexible member duringuse. As shown in FIG. 18, a substantially U-shaped cushioning member 650is disposed on the top surface of flexible member 500 to cushion theheel upon impact. The U-shaped cushioning member is shaped to generallyconform to the shape of the user's heel. Thus, the open end of theU-shape is oriented toward the front of the shoe. Cushioning member 650may be composed of polyurethane or EVA or may be an air-filled orgel-filled member. Cushioning member 650 can be affixed to flexiblemember 500 by gluing, or may be made integral with flexible member 500in an injection molding process. If injection molded, cushioning member650 would be made of the same material as flexible member 500. Todecrease the stiffness of cushioning member 650 in this instance, smallholes (not shown) may be drilled in cushioning member 650 to weaken itand thereby allow it to depress more readily upon impact and moreuniformly with flexible member 500.

The cushioning member 650 described above can be incorporated into ashoe having any of the various flexible regions disclosed in thisapplication and drawings, as well as other shoes falling within thescope of the claims.

If cushioning member 650 is used, the shoe sock liner, which generallyprovides cushioning, may be thinner in the heel area or may terminate atthe forward edge of cushioning member 650. If cushioning member 650 isnot used, the sock liner may extend to the rear of the shoe and may beshaped to conform to the user's heel on its top surface and the flexiblemember on its bottom surface. Its bottom surface may also compensate forgaps formed by the flexible member. For example, the sock liner may havea concave bottom surface in the heel area to correspond to thoseflexible members having convex upper surfaces.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the flexible member isillustrated as a separate component of the shoe which can be removedfrom the shoe and replaced by a similar or different flexible member, asdesired. In each of the embodiments the central portion of the flexiblemember is raised relative to its outer perimeter so that when placed inthe shoe, the interior portion in its normal state does not touch therear sole support and/or rear sole. As a result, the interior of theflexible member will flex in response to the user's stride withoutfirst, if ever, contacting the rear sole support and/or rear sole. Suchflexible member, therefore, can be used with rear soles that have a flatupper surface, as well as those that have a concave upper surface. Therelative shape and positioning of the flexible member and the adjacentrear sole support or rear sole can be designed to provide the optimumflex, stiffness, and spring characteristics. However, each of theabove-described flexible members may be made integral with the rear solesupport, which not only decreases the number of loose parts andincreases the efficiency of the manufacturing process, but also furtherlimits the lateral displacement of the periphery of the flexible memberupon deflection, potentially creating more spring in the center and/orpermitting the use of thinner and/or lighter weight material.

As shown in FIG. 19, rear sole support 340 is identical in structure torear sole support 140 shown in FIG. 2 except that rear sole support 340has a flexible region 700 that serves the same purpose and function asany of the above-described flexible members. In fact, any of theabove-described flexible members may be used as flexible region 700 solong as they can be made integral with rear sole support 340. In thisexample, flexible region 700 is convex in shape and thus similar toflexible member 500 shown in FIG. 4. Cushioning member 650 or a modifiedsock liner as described above may also be used.

The flexible region may be incorporated into other rear sole supportembodiments as well. As an alternative to using arch extension 180, rearsole support 440 shown in FIGS. 20-22 includes a thickened tongue 447that extends toward the ball of the foot. Thickened tongue 447 providesadditional gluing surface for attaching the rear sole support to forwardsole 160 and additional stiffness to the heel portion of the shoe andthe arch area, thus minimizing the chances of separation of the forwardsole from the rear sole support, and at the same time minimizing thetendency of the shoe to curl at the juncture of the hard rear solesupport with the soft forward sole. Similar to rear sole support 240,rear sole support 440 includes a heel counter 442 and a side wall 444.Rear sole support 440 also includes a rim 448 and anchors 452 to receiveand retain a rear sole with a mating groove, such as rear sole 250.Forward sole 260 is longer in this embodiment to extend back to the edgewhere it would abut the rear sole. Flexible region 710 is identical toflexible region 700 in FIG. 19.

In another embodiment, rear sole support 460, as shown in FIGS. 23 and24, includes a tongue 462 that is thinner and slightly smaller thantongue 447 shown in FIGS. 20-22. However, rear sole support 460 includesa curved wall 464 that has a pocket formed on its forward side forreceiving a mating rear edge of forward sole 360 adjacent the rear solesupport. Curved wall 464 provides a firm, smoothly contoured transitionfrom hard-to-align resilient materials of the forward and rear soles andthereby minimizes gapping. It also provides a desirable brace or bumperfor the lower portion of the rear sole when the user is running.Flexible region 720 is identical to flexible regions 700 and 710.

As shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the flexible member may also be integratedwith the securing member. Securing member 750 is similar in structureand function as securing member 400 in that it includes a wall 752 witha threaded outer surface, an inwardly and outwardly extending rim 754,and anchors 756. Securing member 750 also includes a convex flexibleregion 760 integral with wall 752. Flexible region 760, like flexibleregions 700 and 710, may incorporate any of the configurations shown inFIGS. 4-18.

Securing member 750 is simply substituted for securing member 400 andflexible member 200 shown in FIG. 3 to attach rear sole 250 to rear solesupport 240. However, since securing member 750 does not include matingends 416, 418, rear sole 250 is press-fitted into securing member 70until rear sole groove 254 mates with securing member rim 754. This mayhave the effect of making the center of the flexible member morespringy. It may also allow the flexible member to be made of thinnerand/or lighter weight material.

FIG. 27 illustrates another embodiment of the shoe of the presentinvention. The shoe, designated generally as 820, has a shoe upper 822,a forward sole 824, a heel support 826, and a rear sole 828. The forwardsole and heel support are attached to the shoe upper in a conventionalmanner, typically by injection molding, stitching or gluing.

As shown in FIG. 27, the heel support 826 preferably includes a heelcounter 827 for stabilizing a heel portion of the upper 22 above theheel support and a side wall 838 that extends downwardly from the upperand defines a recess 840 sized to receive the rear sole. The heelsupport may also include a substantially horizontal top wall 838′ forsupporting the heel portion of the upper. Otherwise, the top of the rearsole or an insert, as will be discussed in more detail later, willsupport the heel portion of the upper. The components of the heelsupport, including heel counter 827 and the side wall 838, arepreferably made integral through injection molding or other conventionaltechniques and are preferably composed of plastic, such as a durableplastic manufactured under the name PEBAX.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 28-31. Theshoe includes an upper 22, a heel support 940, a rear sole 950, and aforward sole 960. As shown in FIG. 29, the heel support 940 includes aheel counter 942, a downwardly extending wall 944 that defines a recess946 sized to receive the rear sole, and a rim 948 formed around thelower portion of the wall and extending inwardly into the recess.Anchors 952 may be formed on the bottom surface of the rim 948 andextend downwardly toward the rear sole 950.

The rear sole 950 includes a rubber ground-engaging surface 954containing, in this embodiment, three beveled segments or edges 956. Asshown in FIG. 31, the rear sole 950 also includes a midsole 958laminated to the ground-engaging surface 954 that includes asubstantially cylindrical lower portion 962 and a substantiallycylindrical upper portion 964 that is smaller in diameter than the lowerportion. A groove 966 is formed between these upper and lower portionsand receives the rim 948 of the heel support to retain the rear sole inthe heel support recess.

The upper midsole portion 964 includes a spiral groove 968, as shown inFIGS. 29-31, that allows the rear sole to be screwed into the heelsupport. As shown in FIG. 29, a portion of the rim of the heel supportis cut away at 970. The rear sole is screwed into the heel support byaligning the top of the spiral groove with an edge 972 of the rimadjacent the cut-away portion. A sharp instrument (such as a slenderscrewdriver), inserted through the window 974 and into the top of thespiral groove 968 may aid in the start-up process. The rear sole is thensimply rotated, and the rim engages the spiral groove of the rear soleto screw the upper midsole of the rear sole into the recess. Once fullyinserted, the rear sole may be rotated freely within the recess by hand,albeit with desired resistance. When the rear sole is attached to theheel support, the optional anchors sink into the lower midsole portionof the rear sole due to the weight of the user to prevent rotation ofthe rear sole during use.

It should be noted that the configuration of the midsole 958, i.e., theupper midsole portion having a diameter equal to or slightly larger thanthat of the recess defined by the rim and a lower midsole portion havinga diameter substantially equal to the diameter defined by the circularwall 944, further eliminates any vertical gapping problems fromoccurring between the wall of the heel support and the peripheralsurface of the rear sole.

To assist in removing the rear sole from the heel support, the twowindows 974, 976 (FIG. 29) are formed in the wall of the heel support, afirst window 974 above the cut-away portion of the rim and a secondwindow 976 positioned 180 degrees around the wall of the heel supportfrom the first window. In addition, a small indention 978 is formed onthe peripheral surface of the upper midsole portion 964 at a position180 degrees from the point at which the spiral groove 968 intersects thebottom of the upper midsole portion 964, as shown in FIG. 31. To removethe rear sole from the heel support, the rear sole is rotated in theheel support until the small indention appears in the second window 976.At this point, the bottom of the spiral groove is aligned with thecenter of the cut-away portion. The user, again using a screwdriver orsimilar instrument inserted through the window 974 into the spiralgroove 968, can then simply rotate the rear sole so that the rim of theheel support engages the spiral groove. The rear sole is then simplyrotated to screw the rear sole out of the heel support.

It is not necessary to include a spiral groove in the rear sole forattaching and removing the rear sole from the heel support. As shown inFIG. 32, a rear sole 950 is similar to that shown in FIG. 31, butincludes no spiral groove and no small indention. Because the upperportion 964 and lower portion 962 of the midsole 958 are made of a softmaterial, it can be press-fitted into the recess of the heel supportuntil the rim 948 engages the groove 966.

As shown in FIGS. 28-30, the shoe of the present invention alsopreferably includes an arch bridge 980 attached to, and integral with,the heel support 940 to provide an even firmer support for the arch ofthe foot and for alleviating potential gapping problems where the wallof the heel support is adjacent the forward sole. The arch bridge 980generally extends from the rear of the recess 946 (where it attaches tothe heel counter 942 and side wall 944) to the ball of the foot and isattached to the upper 22 and forward sole 960 by gluing or otherconventional methods. The arch bridge 980 also is preferably composed ofthe same material as the heel support and is made integral with the heelsupport 940 by molding. Such one-piece construction of the arch bridgetogether with the heel support solves another major problem, and that isthe tendency of an athletic shoe of conventional “full body” archconstruction to curl at the juncture of the hard heel support with theresilient forward sole.

Another embodiment for attaching the graphite insert is shown in FIG.33. In this embodiment, the graphite insert 1000 is inserted through thebottom of the heel support 1040 so that the periphery of the graphiteinsert presses against the lower surface of an upper rim 1049 of theheel support. A plastic ring 1010 is also inserted in the recess betweenthe graphite insert and the rim 1048. Such ring 1010 is flexible enoughto allow it to be inserted into the heel support. The ring supports theperiphery of the lower surface of the graphite insert. The rear sole1050 is a screw-in type identical to the rear sole 950 shown in FIG. 31except that it has a concave top surface to allow the graphite insert toflex during use.

As shown in FIG. 33, the rim 1048 of the heel support includes twocut-away portions at 1070 and windows 1074, 1076 to allow the graphiteinsert and the ring to be inserted into the recess of the heel support,in addition to allowing the rear sole to be screwed onto the heelsupport in the same manner as contemplated by FIGS. 29, 30 and 31. Thering 1010 also has windows 1012, 1014 that are aligned with the windows1074, 1076 when the ring is inserted into the recess.

Alternatively, the rim 1048 of the heel support and the graphite insert1000 can be “gear-shaped”, as shown in FIG. 34, to allow the graphiteinsert 1000 to be inserted into the heel support. Again, the ring 1010is flexible enough to allow it to be inserted into the heel support.

If additional cushioning is desired, the rear sole can be modified asshown in FIGS. 35-37. In this embodiment, a “doughnut-shaped” void 1152is created in the middle of a rear sole 1150 to support an air-filledcushion 1170 similar in shape to an inner tube for a tire. In addition,several voids 1154 are formed around the periphery of the rear sole toreduce the weight of the rear sole and better exploit the cushioningproperties of the air-filled cushion 1170 when the shoe strikes theground during use. The voids are preferably positioned directly belowthe knobs 1156 to cushion the force transmitted from the heel support tothe knobs. The air cushion 1170 may include a valve 1172 for inflatingand deflating the cushion.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the system of the presentinvention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modificationsand variations of this invention provided they come within the scope ofthe claims and their equivalents.

1. A shoe comprising: a bottom, a medial side, a lateral side and arear; an upper having a forward region, an arch region and a heelregion; a forward sole below the forward region of the upper, theforward sole having a bottom surface that is at least in partground-engaging; a rear sole below at least a portion of the heel regionof the upper, the rear sole including a midsole material, the rear solehaving a bottom surface that is at least in part ground-engaging; a heelsupport integrally formed of a material different from the midsolematerial of the rear sole, the heel support including a wall along atleast one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoeand the rear of the shoe, the wall extending vertically at least in partand being in air communication with and visible from the outside of theshoe, the wall including a top, a bottom and at least one window in thewall between the top and the bottom of the wall, at least a portion ofthe midsole material of the rear sole being in air communication withand visible from the outside of the shoe through the at least one windowin the wall, the heel support including a rim proximate the top of thewall, the rim extending inwardly at least in part and having a lowersurface oriented toward at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe;and an arch bridge integrally formed with the heel support, the archbridge including a lower surface having an elevated portion that isnon-ground-engaging, the elevated portion of the lower surface of thearch bridge being visible from the bottom of the shoe between theground-engaging surfaces of the forward sole and the rear sole.
 2. Theshoe of claim 1, further including a substantially air-tight enclosurelocated at least in part between a portion of the upper and a portion ofthe bottom of the shoe, the air-tight enclosure having a top, a bottomand a vertical central axis passing through the top and the bottom ofthe air-tight enclosure.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the air-tightenclosure is located in the forward sole.
 4. The shoe of claim 2,wherein a portion of the air-tight enclosure is at least in part curved.5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least in part curved portion ofthe air-tight enclosure is curved in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.6. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least in part curved portion ofthe air-tight enclosure is curved in a direction substantially parallelwith the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 7. The shoeof claim 4, wherein the at least in part curved portion of the air-tightenclosure is curved in a direction substantially parallel with thevertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure and in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of theair-tight enclosure.
 8. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe air-tight enclosure.
 9. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially parallel with the vertical central axis of theair-tight enclosure.
 10. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially parallel with the vertical central axis of theair-tight enclosure and in a direction substantially perpendicular tothe vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 11. The shoe ofclaim 2, wherein at least one of the top and the bottom of the air-tightenclosure has a portion that is generally flat and perpendicular to thevertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 12. The shoe of claim2, wherein each of the top and the bottom of the air-tight enclosure hasa portion that is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 13. The shoe of claim 2,wherein at least a portion of the bottom of the air-tight enclosure isgenerally flat and perpendicular to the vertical central axis of theair-tight enclosure.
 14. The shoe of claim 2, wherein at least a portionof the top of the air-tight enclosure is generally flat andperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.15. (canceled)
 16. The shoe of claim 2, wherein the air-tight enclosurehas at least one exterior portion that is in air communication with andvisible from the outside of the shoe.
 17. The shoe of claim 1, furtherincluding an inflated cushion located at least in part between a portionof the upper and a portion of the bottom of the shoe, the inflatedcushion having a top, a bottom and a vertical central axis passingthrough the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion.
 18. The shoe ofclaim 17, wherein the inflated cushion is located in the forward sole.19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the inflated cushion includes abladder.
 20. The shoe of claim 19, wherein the bladder is an airbladder.
 21. The shoe of claim 17, wherein a portion of the inflatedcushion is at least in part curved.
 22. The shoe of claim 21, whereinthe at least in part curved portion of the inflated cushion is curved ina direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe inflated cushion.
 23. The shoe of claim 21, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the inflated cushion is curved in a directionsubstantially parallel to the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 24. The shoe of claim 21, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is curved in a direction substantiallyparallel with the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion and in adirection substantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe inflated cushion.
 25. The shoe of claim 21, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe inflated cushion.
 26. The shoe of claim 21, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially parallel with the vertical central axis of theinflated cushion.
 27. The shoe of claim 21, wherein the at least in partcurved portion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially parallel with the vertical central axis of theinflated cushion and in a direction substantially perpendicular to thevertical central axis of the inflated cushion.
 28. The shoe of claim 17,wherein at least one of the top and the bottom of the inflated cushionhas a portion that is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 29. The shoe of claim 17, whereineach of the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion has a portionthat is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe inflated cushion.
 30. The shoe of claim 17, wherein at least aportion of the bottom of the inflated cushion is generally flat andperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion. 31.The shoe of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the top of theinflated cushion is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 32. (canceled)
 33. The shoe ofclaim 17, wherein the inflated cushion has at least one exterior portionthat is in air communication with and visible from the outside of theshoe.
 34. The shoe of claim 33, wherein the at least one exteriorportion of the inflated cushion spans a major longitudinal axis of theshoe from a medial side of the major longitudinal axis of the shoe to alateral side of the major longitudinal axis of the shoe.
 35. The shoe ofclaim 17, wherein at least a portion of the inflated cushion is locatedin a forward portion of the rear sole and spans from a point on a medialside of the shoe to a point on a lateral side of the shoe.
 36. The shoeof claim 17, wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis and therear sole has a vertical central axis passing through the bottom of theshoe and the heel region of the upper, the vertical central axis of therear sole being perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of theshoe, the inflated cushion completely surrounding the vertical centralaxis of the rear sole in a plane substantially perpendicular to thevertical central axis of the rear sole.
 37. The shoe of claim 1, whereinthe shoe includes a major longitudinal axis and the rear sole has avertical central axis passing through the bottom of the shoe and theheel region of the upper, the vertical central axis of the rear solebeing perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, thevertical central axis of the rear sole being completely surrounded by atleast one inflated cushion in a plane perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the rear sole.
 38. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the rearsole includes only one inflated cushion.
 39. The shoe of claim 38,wherein the inflated cushion includes only one chamber.
 40. The shoe ofclaim 39, wherein the chamber is located entirely within the rear sole.41. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the forward sole includes at least oneinflated cushion.
 42. The shoe of claim 38, wherein the forward soleincludes a plurality of inflated cushions.
 43. The shoe of claim 17,wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis and the rear solehas a vertical central axis passing through the bottom of the shoe andthe heel region of the upper, the vertical central axis of the rear solebeing perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, thevertical central axis of the inflated cushion being coincident with thevertical central axis of the rear sole.
 44. The shoe of claim 17,wherein the inflated cushion has at least one sidewall that is in aircommunication with and visible from the outside of the shoe, the atleast one sidewall being curved along a majority of the distance betweenthe top and the bottom of the inflated cushion.
 45. The shoe of claim44, wherein the at least one sidewall has a generally uniform thickness.46. The shoe of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the inflatedcushion is located proximate a lateral side of the shoe, at least aportion of the inflated cushion is located proximate a medial side ofthe shoe and at least a portion of the inflated cushion is locatedproximate a rear of the shoe, the portions being in communication withone another.
 47. The shoe of claim 21, wherein the at least in partcurved portion of the inflated cushion has the shape of an arc of acircle.
 48. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the inflated cushion has aninterior chamber with a height parallel to the vertical central axis ofthe inflated cushion, the interior chamber having a maximum crosssectional dimension perpendicular to the vertical central axis of theinflated cushion that is greater than the height of the interiorchamber.
 49. The shoe of claim 17, further including a flexible platehaving an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior portion andperipheral portions and positioned between at least a portion of thebottom of the shoe and at least a portion of the heel region of theupper, the plate being in contact with at least a portion of the heelsupport.
 50. The shoe of claim 1, further including a flexible platehaving an upper surface, a lower surface, an interior portion andperipheral portions and positioned between at least a portion of thebottom of the shoe and at least a portion of the heel region of theupper, the plate being in contact with at least a portion of the heelsupport.
 51. The shoe of claim 50, wherein at least a portion of theplate is capable of being deflected in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the shoe.
 52. The shoe ofclaim 50, wherein the interior portion of the plate is capable of beingdeflected relative to at least a portion of the peripheral portions ofthe plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe.
 53. The shoe of claim 50, wherein one ofthe peripheral portions of the plate is proximate a medial side of theshoe and one of the peripheral portions of the plate is proximate alateral side of the shoe.
 54. The shoe of claim 50, wherein one of theperipheral portions of the plate is proximate the medial side of theshoe, one of the peripheral portions of the plate is proximate thelateral side of the shoe and one of the peripheral portions of the plateis proximate the rear of the shoe.
 55. The shoe of claim 50, wherein thewall extends vertically at least in part along both the medial side ofthe shoe and the lateral side of the shoe, the plate having a forwardone-third portion oriented toward a front of the shoe, a rewardone-third portion oriented toward the rear of the shoe and a centralone-third portion between the forward one-third portion and the rearwardone-third portion, at least a portion of the central one-third portionof the plate being in contact with the wall proximate both the medialside of the shoe and the lateral side of the shoe.
 56. The shoe of claim50, wherein the wall extends vertically at least in part along the rearof the shoe, the plate having a forward half oriented toward a front ofthe shoe and a reward half oriented toward the rear of the shoe, atleast a portion of the rearward half of the plate being in contact withthe wall proximate the rear of the shoe.
 57. The shoe of claim 50,wherein the wall extends vertically at least in part along the medialside of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe,at least a portion of the plate being in contact with the wall proximatethe medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rearof the shoe.
 58. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the interior portion ofthe plate is positioned at least in part beneath the calcaneus of thewearer of the shoe.
 59. The shoe of claim 58, wherein the interiorportion of the plate that is positioned at least in part beneath thecalcaneus of the wearer is positioned at least in part beneath theapproximate center of the calcaneus of the wearer of the shoe asmeasured on a line generally perpendicular to the bottom of the shoe.60. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate extends under at least amajority of the area occupied by the heel region.
 61. The shoe of claim50, wherein the plate extends under at least two-thirds of the areaoccupied by the heel region.
 62. The shoe of claim 61, wherein the plateextends under substantially the entire area occupied by the heel region.63. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate extends under substantiallythe entire area occupied by the heel region.
 64. The shoe of claim 1,further including a flexible plate having an upper surface, a lowersurface, an interior portion and peripheral portions and positionedbetween at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe and at least aportion of the heel region of the upper, the plate being connected to atleast a portion of the heel support.
 65. The shoe of claim 50, whereinthe plate is integral with at least a portion of the heel support. 66.The shoe of claim 65, wherein the plate is integral with the heelsupport on at least a portion of the medial side of the shoe and atleast a portion of the lateral side of the shoe.
 67. The shoe of claim65, wherein the plate is integral with the heel support on at least aportion of the medial side of the shoe, at least a portion of thelateral side of the shoe and at least a portion of the rear of the shoe.68. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate is made of the same materialas the arch bridge.
 69. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate is madeof a durable plastic material.
 70. The shoe of claim 50, wherein theplate includes at least one opening therethrough.
 71. The shoe of claim50, wherein the plate includes a plurality of openings therethrough. 72.The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate is permanently attached to theheel support.
 73. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate is integrallyformed with the heel support.
 74. The shoe of claim 50, wherein theperipheral portions of the plate have an outer contour that fits anouter contour of the bottom of the wall of the heel support.
 75. Theshoe of claim 50, wherein the peripheral portions of the plate have anouter contour that corresponds to an outer contour of the bottom of thewall of the heel support.
 76. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the shoeincludes a major longitudinal axis and the rear sole has a verticalcentral axis passing through the bottom of the shoe and the heel regionof the upper, the vertical central axis of the rear sole beingperpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, the peripheralportions of the plate completely surrounding the vertical central axisof the rear sole.
 77. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the plate has athickness between the upper surface and the lower surface of the plate,the thickness being substantially uniform.
 78. The shoe of claim 50,wherein at least one of the upper and the lower surfaces of the plate isgenerally planar.
 79. The shoe of claim 50, further including aninflated cushion located at least in part between a portion of the upperand a portion of the bottom of the shoe, the inflated cushion having atop, a bottom, and a vertical central axis passing through the top andthe bottom of the inflated cushion.
 80. The shoe of claim 79, whereinthe rear sole includes a layer of outsole material that forms at least aportion of the ground engaging surface of the rear sole, each of theinflated cushion, the plate and the layer having a portion proximate therear of the shoe that is curved in a plane perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion from the medial side of the shoe tothe lateral side of the shoe, the shape of the curve of each of the rearportions of the inflated cushion, the plate and the layer beingsubstantially the same.
 81. (canceled)
 82. The shoe of claim 80, whereinthe curve of each of the rear portions of the inflated cushion, theplate and the layer of outsole material is substantially semi-circular.83. The shoe of claim 50, wherein the rear sole includes only oneinflated cushion.
 84. The shoe of claim 83, wherein the inflated cushionincludes only one chamber.
 85. The shoe of claim 84, wherein the chamberis located entirely within the rear sole.
 86. The shoe of claim 83,wherein the forward sole includes at least one inflated cushion.
 87. Theshoe of claim 83, wherein the forward sole includes a plurality ofinflated cushions.
 88. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel support ismade of a durable plastic material.
 89. The shoe of claim 1, wherein theat least one window generally forms the shape of a quadrilateral. 90.The shoe of claim 1, further including at least a second window.
 91. Theshoe of claim 90, wherein two of the windows are directly opposite oneanother.
 92. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the at least one windowincludes a plurality of windows.
 93. The shoe of claim 92, wherein twoof the windows are directly opposite one another.
 94. The shoe of claim1, wherein the at least one window is located on at least one of themedial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear ofthe shoe.
 95. The shoe of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at leastone window is located on the rear of the shoe.
 96. The shoe of claim 1,wherein the at least one window includes at least three windows.
 97. Theshoe of claim 1, wherein the at least one window includes at least fourwindows.
 98. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the at least one windowincludes at least five windows.
 99. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the atleast one window includes at least six windows.
 100. The shoe of claim1, wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis, the rear solehaving a vertical central axis perpendicular to the major longitudinalaxis of the shoe and passing through the bottom of the shoe and the heelregion of the upper, the rim including an upper surface opposite thelower surface and an interior edge connecting the upper and lowersurfaces of the rim, the interior edge being oriented at least in parttoward the vertical central axis of the rear sole.
 101. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein the heel support has a top and the rear sole has awidth from the medial side of the shoe to the lateral side of the shoe,the rim defining an opening in the top of the heel support having adimension from the medial side of the shoe to the lateral side of theshoe that is greater than one-half the width of the rear sole.
 102. Theshoe of claim 50, wherein the lower surface of the rim is substantiallyparallel with the upper surface of the plate.
 103. The shoe of claim 50,wherein the rim overlies only the peripheral portions of the plate. 104.The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel support includes a portionextending upwardly from the rim on at least one of the medial side ofthe shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe. 105.The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel support includes a portionextending upwardly from the rim on each of the medial side of the shoe,the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe.
 106. The shoe ofclaim 104, wherein the upwardly extending portion above the rim is inair communication with and visible from the outside of the shoe. 107.The shoe of claim 104, wherein the upwardly extending portion above therim is in air communication with and visible from the medial side of theshoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe.
 108. Theshoe of claim 1, wherein the heel support is located between a materialforming a portion of the forward sole and the ground-engaging surface ofthe rear sole.
 109. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel supportcompletely separates a material forming a portion of the forward solefrom the ground-engaging surface of the rear sole.
 110. The shoe ofclaim 1, wherein at least a portion of the ground-engaging surfaces ofthe forward sole and the rear sole are made of a rubber material. 111.The shoe of claim 1, wherein the ground-engaging surface of the rearsole includes an opening therein that exposes a plastic material, theplastic material being visible from the bottom of the shoe.
 112. Theshoe of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the rear sole has aperimeter and a center located beneath the approximate center of thecalcaneus of the wearer of the shoe, the rear sole further including arearward portion and an opposite forward portion below the heel regionof the upper, the bottom surface having at least two portions which arebeveled in different directions away from the center of the rear sole,each of the beveled portions defining at least in part the perimeter ofthe rear sole.
 113. The shoe of claim 112, wherein one of the at leasttwo beveled portions is located at least in part in the forward portionof the rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward a front of theshoe.
 114. The shoe of claim 112, wherein one of the at least twobeveled portions is located at least in part in the rearward portion ofthe rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward the rear of theshoe.
 115. The shoe of claim 112, wherein one of the at least twobeveled portions is located at least in part in the forward portion ofthe rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward a front of theshoe and one of the at least two beveled portions is located at least inpart in the rearward portion of the rear sole and is oriented at leastin part toward the rear of the shoe.
 116. The shoe of claim 1, whereinthe rear sole has a perimeter, a rearward portion and an oppositeforward portion below the heel region, the bottom surface of the rearsole including at least one substantially planar portion and at leasttwo portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planarportion, the non-planar portions being positioned proximate theperimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by otherportions of the bottom surface of the rear sole, each of the non-planarportions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottomsurface of the rear sole in a direction toward the perimeter of the rearsole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate therearward portion of the rear sole, and at least a portion of another ofthe at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portionof the rear sole.
 117. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elevated portionof the lower surface of the arch bridge extends from a medial side ofthe shoe to a lateral side of the shoe.
 118. The shoe of claim 1,wherein the elevated portion of the lower surface of the arch bridgeextends below at least a substantial portion of the arch region of theupper.
 119. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the elevated portion of thelower surface of the arch bridge extends below substantially the entirearch region of the upper.
 120. The shoe of claim 1, wherein at least aforward portion of the elevated portion of the lower surface of the archbridge proximate the medial side of the shoe is inclined upwardly in adirection toward the rear of the shoe.
 121. The shoe of claim 1, whereinat least a rearward portion of the elevated portion of the lower surfaceof the arch bridge proximate a medial side of the shoe is inclinedupwardly in a direction toward a front of the shoe.
 122. The shoe ofclaim 1, further including at least one wall integral with the archbridge proximate at least one of a medial side of the shoe and a lateralside of the shoe and extending in an upwardly direction from the archbridge, the at least one wall of the arch bridge being visible at leastin part from outside the shoe.
 123. The shoe of claim 1, wherein thearch bridge is formed of the same material as the heel support.
 124. Theshoe of claim 1, wherein the arch bridge and the heel support are moldedas a one-piece construction.
 125. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the archbridge comprises at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe.
 126. Theshoe of claim 1, wherein the upper includes an open interior, furtherincluding at least one opening extending in an upwardly direction fromthe bottom of the shoe, the at least one opening being in aircommunication with the open interior of the upper.
 127. A shoecomprising: a bottom, a medial side, a lateral side and a rear; an upperhaving a forward region, an arch region and a heel region; a forwardsole below the forward region of the upper, the forward sole having abottom surface that is at least in part ground-engaging; a rear solebelow at least a portion of the heel region of the upper, the rear soleincluding a midsole material, the rear sole having a bottom surface thatis at least in part ground-engaging; a heel support integrally formed ofa durable plastic material, the heel support including a wall proximateat least one of the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of theshoe and the rear of the shoe, the wall extending vertically at least inpart and being in air communication with and visible from the outside ofthe shoe, the wall including a top, a bottom and at least three windowsbetween the top and the bottom of the wall, one of the at least threewindows being located along the medial side of the shoe, one of the atleast three windows being located along the lateral side of the shoe andone of the at least three windows being located along the rear of theshoe, the heel support including a rim proximate the top of the wall,the rim extending inwardly at least in part and having a lower surfaceoriented toward a portion of the bottom of the shoe.
 128. The shoe ofclaim 127, further including a substantially air-tight enclosure locatedat least in part between a portion of the upper and a portion of thebottom of the shoe, the air-tight enclosure having a top, a bottom and avertical central axis passing through the top and the bottom of theair-tight enclosure.
 129. The shoe of claim 128, wherein the air-tightenclosure is located in the forward sole.
 130. The shoe of claim 128,wherein a portion of the air-tight enclosure is at least in part curved.131. The shoe of claim 130, wherein the at least in part curved portionof the air-tight enclosure is curved in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.132. The shoe of claim 130, wherein the at least in part curved portionof the air-tight enclosure is curved in a direction substantiallyparallel with the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure. 133.The shoe of claim 130, wherein the at least in part curved portion ofthe air-tight enclosure is curved in a direction substantially parallelwith the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure and in adirection substantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe air-tight enclosure.
 134. The shoe of claim 130, wherein the atleast in part curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate inshape in a direction substantially perpendicular to the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure.
 135. The shoe of claim 130, wherein theat least in part curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate inshape in a direction substantially parallel with the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure.
 136. The shoe of claim 130, wherein theat least in part curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate inshape in a direction substantially parallel with the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure and in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.137. The shoe of claim 128, wherein at least one of the top and thebottom of the air-tight enclosure has a portion that is generally flatand perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tightenclosure.
 138. The shoe of claim 128, wherein each of the top and thebottom of the air-tight enclosure has a portion that is generally flatand perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tightenclosure.
 139. The shoe of claim 128, wherein at least a portion of thebottom of the air-tight enclosure is generally flat and perpendicular tothe vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 140. The shoe ofclaim 128, wherein at least a portion of the top of the air-tightenclosure is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure when.
 141. (canceled)
 142. The shoe ofclaim 128, wherein the air-tight enclosure has at least one exteriorportion that is in air communication with and visible from the outsideof the shoe.
 143. The shoe of claim 127, further including an inflatedcushion located at least in part between a portion of the upper and aportion of the bottom of the shoe, the inflated cushion having a top, abottom and a vertical central axis passing through the top and thebottom of the inflated cushion.
 144. The shoe of claim 143, wherein theinflated cushion is located in the forward sole.
 145. The shoe of claim143, wherein the inflated cushion includes a bladder.
 146. The shoe ofclaim 145, wherein the bladder is an air bladder.
 147. The shoe of claim143, wherein a portion of the inflated cushion is at least in partcurved.
 148. The shoe of claim 147, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is curved in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion. 149.The shoe of claim 147, wherein the at least in part curved portion ofthe inflated cushion is curved in a direction substantially parallelwith the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion.
 150. The shoe ofclaim 147, wherein the at least in part curved portion of the inflatedcushion is curved in a direction substantially parallel with thevertical central axis of the inflated cushion and in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 151. The shoe of claim 147, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 152. The shoe of claim 147, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in a directionsubstantially parallel with the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 153. The shoe of claim 147, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in a directionsubstantially parallel with the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 154. The shoe of claim 143,wherein at least one of the top and the bottom of the inflated cushionhas a portion that is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 155. The shoe of claim 143,wherein each of the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion has aportion that is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical centralaxis of the inflated cushion.
 156. The shoe of claim 143, wherein atleast a portion of the bottom of the inflated cushion is generally flatand perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion.157. The shoe of claim 143, wherein at least a portion of the top of theinflated cushion is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 158. (canceled)
 159. The shoe ofclaim 143, wherein the inflated cushion has at least one exteriorportion that is in air communication with and visible from the outsideof the shoe.
 160. The shoe of claim 159, wherein the at least oneexterior and visible portion of the inflated cushion spans a majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe from a medial side of the majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe to a lateral side of the majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe.
 161. The shoe of claim 143, wherein atleast a portion of the inflated cushion is located in a forward portionof the rear sole and spans from a point on a medial side of the shoe toa point on a lateral side of the shoe.
 162. The shoe of claim 143,wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis, the rear solehaving a vertical central axis perpendicular to the major longitudinalaxis of the shoe and passing through the bottom of the shoe and the heelregion of the upper, the inflated cushion completely surrounding thevertical central axis of the rear sole in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the rear sole.
 163. Theshoe of claim 127, wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis,the rear sole having a vertical central axis perpendicular to the majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe and passing through the bottom of the shoeand the heel region of the upper, the vertical central axis of the rearsole being completely surrounded by at least one inflated cushion in aplane perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the rear sole. 164.The shoe of claim 127, wherein the rear sole includes only one inflatedcushion.
 165. The shoe of claim 164, wherein the inflated cushionincludes only one chamber.
 166. The shoe of claim 165, wherein thechamber is located entirely within the rear sole.
 167. The shoe of claim164, wherein the forward sole includes at least one inflated cushion.168. The shoe of claim 164, wherein the forward sole includes aplurality of inflated cushions.
 169. The shoe of claim 143, wherein theshoe includes a major longitudinal axis and the rear sole has a verticalcentral axis passing through the bottom of the shoe and the heel regionof the upper, the vertical central axis of the rear sole beingperpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe, the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion being coincident with the verticalcentral axis of the rear sole.
 170. The shoe of claim 143, wherein theinflated cushion has at least one sidewall that is in air communicationwith and visible from the outside of the shoe, the at least one sidewallbeing curved along a majority of the distance between the top and thebottom of the inflated cushion.
 171. The shoe of claim 170, wherein theat least one sidewall has a generally uniform thickness.
 172. The shoeof claim 143, wherein at least a portion of the inflated cushion islocated proximate the lateral side of the shoe, at least a portion ofthe inflated cushion is located proximate the medial side of the shoeand at least a portion of the inflated cushion is located proximate therear of the shoe, the portions being in communication with one another.173. The shoe of claim 147, wherein the at least in part curved portionof the inflated cushion has the shape of an arc of a circle.
 174. Theshoe of claim 143, wherein the inflated cushion has an interior chamberwith a height parallel to the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion, the interior chamber having a maximum cross sectional dimensionperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion thatis greater than the height of the interior chamber.
 175. The shoe ofclaim 143, further including a flexible plate having an upper surface, alower surface, an interior portion and peripheral portions andpositioned between at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe and atleast a portion of the heel region of the upper, the plate being incontact with at least a portion of the heel support.
 176. The shoe ofclaim 127, further including a flexible plate having an upper surface, alower surface, an interior portion and peripheral portions andpositioned between at least a portion of the bottom of the shoe and atleast a portion of the heel region of the upper, the plate being incontact with at least a portion of the heel support.
 177. The shoe ofclaim 176, wherein at least a portion of the plate is capable of beingdeflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to a majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe.
 178. The shoe of claim 176, wherein theinterior portion of the plate is capable of being deflected relative toat least a portion of the peripheral portions of the plate in adirection substantially perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis ofthe shoe.
 179. The shoe of claim 176, wherein one of the peripheralportions of the plate is proximate a medial side of the shoe and one ofthe peripheral portions of the plate is proximate a lateral side of theshoe.
 180. The shoe of claim 176, wherein one of the peripheral portionsof the plate is proximate the medial side of the shoe, one of theperipheral portions of the plate is proximate the lateral side of theshoe and one of the peripheral portions of the plate is proximate therear of the shoe.
 181. The shoe of claim 176, wherein the wall extendsvertically at least in part along both the medial side of the shoe andthe lateral side of the shoe, the plate having a forward one-thirdportion oriented toward a front of the shoe, a reward one-third portionoriented toward the rear of the shoe and a central one-third portionbetween the forward one-third portion and the rearward one-thirdportion, at least a portion of the central one-third portion of theplate being in contact with the wall proximate both the medial side ofthe shoe and the lateral side of the shoe.
 182. The shoe of claim 176,wherein the wall extends vertically at least in part along the rear ofthe shoe, the plate having a forward half oriented toward a front of theshoe and a reward half oriented toward the rear of the shoe, at least aportion of the rearward half of the plate being in contact with the wallproximate the rear of the shoe.
 183. The shoe of claim 176, wherein thewall extends vertically at least in part along the medial side of theshoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe, at least aportion of the plate being in contact with the wall proximate the medialside of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe.184. The shoe of claim 176, wherein the interior portion of the plate ispositioned at least in part beneath the calcaneus of the wearer of theshoe.
 185. The shoe of claim 184, wherein the interior portion of theplate that is positioned at least in part beneath the calcaneus of thewearer is positioned at least in part beneath the approximate center ofthe calcaneus of the wearer of the shoe as measured on a line generallyperpendicular to the bottom of the shoe.
 186. The shoe of claim 176,wherein the plate extends under at least a majority of the area-occupiedby the heel region.
 187. The shoe of claim 176, wherein the plateextends under at least two-thirds of the area occupied by the heelregion.
 188. The shoe of claim 187, wherein the plate extends undersubstantially the entire area occupied by the heel region.
 189. The shoeof claim 176, wherein the plate extends under substantially the entirearea occupied by the heel region.
 190. The shoe of claim 127, furtherincluding a plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, an interiorportion and peripheral portions and positioned between at least aportion of the bottom of the shoe and at least a portion of the heelregion of the upper, the plate being connected to at least a portion ofthe heel support.
 191. The shoe of claim 176, wherein the plate isintegral with at least a portion of the heel support.
 192. The shoe ofclaim 191, wherein the plate is integral with the heel support on atleast a portion of the medial side of the shoe and at least a portion ofthe lateral side of the shoe.
 193. The shoe of claim 191, wherein theplate is integral with the heel support on at least a portion of themedial side of the shoe, at least a portion of the lateral side of theshoe and at least a portion of the rear of the shoe.
 194. The shoe ofclaim 176, further including an arch bridge positioned below at least aportion of the arch region of the upper, the plate being made of thesame material as the arch bridge.
 195. The shoe of claim 176, whereinthe plate is made of a durable plastic material.
 196. The shoe of claim176, wherein the plate includes at least one opening therethrough. 197.The shoe of claim 176, wherein the plate includes a plurality ofopenings therethrough.
 198. The shoe of claim 176, wherein the plate ispermanently attached to the heel support.
 199. The shoe of claim 176,wherein the plate is integrally formed with the heel support.
 200. Theshoe of claim 176, wherein the peripheral portions of the plate have anouter contour that fits an outer contour of the bottom of the wall ofthe heel support.
 201. The shoe of claim 176, wherein the peripheralportions of the plate have an outer contour that corresponds to an outercontour of the bottom of the wall of the heel support.
 202. The shoe ofclaim 176, wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis and therear sole has a vertical central axis passing through the bottom of theshoe and the heel region of the upper, the vertical central axis of therear sole being perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of theshoe, the peripheral portions of the plate completely surrounding thevertical central axis of the rear sole.
 203. The shoe of claim 176,wherein the plate has a thickness between the upper surface and thelower surface of the plate, the thickness being substantially uniform.204. The shoe of claim 176, wherein at least one of the upper and thelower surfaces of the plate is generally planar.
 205. The shoe of claim176, further including an inflated cushion located at least in partbetween a portion of the upper and a portion of the bottom of the shoe,the inflated cushion having a top, a bottom and a vertical central axispassing through the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion.
 206. Theshoe of claim 205, wherein the rear sole includes a layer of outsolematerial that forms at least a portion of the ground engaging surface ofthe rear sole, each of the inflated cushion, the plate and the layerhaving a portion proximate the rear of the shoe that is curved in aplane perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushionfrom the medial side of the shoe to the lateral side of the shoe, theshape of the curve of each of the rear portions of the inflated cushion,the plate and the layer being substantially the same.
 207. (canceled)208. The shoe of claim 206, wherein the curve of each of the rearportions of the inflated cushion, the plate and the layer of outsolematerial is substantially semi-circular.
 209. The shoe of claim 176,wherein the rear sole includes only one inflated cushion.
 210. The shoeof claim 209, wherein the inflated cushion includes only one chamber.211. The shoe of claim 210, wherein the chamber is located entirelywithin the rear sole.
 212. The shoe of claim 209, wherein the forwardsole includes at least one inflated cushion.
 213. The shoe of claim 209,wherein the forward sole includes a plurality of inflated cushions. 214.The shoe of claim 127, wherein two of the at least three windows aredirectly opposite each other.
 215. The shoe of claim 127, wherein eachof the at least three windows exposes a portion of the midsole materialof the rear sole.
 216. The shoe of claim 127, wherein the at least threewindows include at least four windows.
 217. The shoe of claim 216,wherein each of the at least four windows exposes a portion of themidsole material of the rear sole.
 218. The shoe of claim 127, whereinthe at least three windows include at least five windows.
 219. The shoeof claim 218, wherein each of the at least five windows exposes aportion of the midsole material of the rear sole.
 220. The shoe of claim127, wherein the at least three windows include at least six windows.221. The shoe of claim 220, wherein each of the at least six windowsexposes a portion of the midsole material of the rear sole.
 222. Theshoe of claim 127, wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axis,the rear sole having a vertical central axis perpendicular to the majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe and passing through the bottom of the shoeand the heel region of the upper, the rim including an upper surfaceopposite the lower surface and an interior edge connecting the upper andlower surfaces of the rim, the interior edge being oriented at least inpart toward the vertical central axis of the rear sole.
 223. The shoe ofclaim 127, wherein the heel support has a top and the rear sole has awidth from the medial side of the shoe to the lateral side of the shoe,the rim defining an opening in the top of the heel support having adimension from the medial side of the shoe to the lateral side of theshoe that is greater than one-half the width of the rear sole.
 224. Theshoe of claim 176, wherein the lower surface of the rim is substantiallyparallel with the upper surface of the plate.
 225. The shoe of claim176, wherein the rim overlies only the peripheral portions of the plate.226. The shoe of claim 127, wherein the heel support includes a portionextending upwardly from the rim on at least one of the medial side ofthe shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe. 227.The shoe of claim 127, wherein the heel support includes a portionextending upwardly from the rim on each of the medial side of the shoe,the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe.
 228. The shoe ofclaim 226, wherein the upwardly extending portion above the rim is inair communication with and visible from the outside of the shoe. 229.The shoe of claim 226, wherein the upwardly extending portion above therim is in air communication with and visible from the medial side of theshoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe.
 230. Theshoe of claim 127, wherein the heel support is located between amaterial forming a portion of the forward sole and the ground-engagingsurface of the rear sole.
 231. The shoe of claim 127, wherein the heelsupport completely separates a material forming a portion of the forwardsole from the ground-engaging surface of the rear sole.
 232. The shoe ofclaim 127, wherein at least a portion of the ground-engaging surfaces ofthe forward sole and the rear sole is made of a rubber material. 233.The shoe of claim 127, wherein the ground-engaging surface of the rearsole includes an opening therein that exposes a plastic material, theplastic material being visible from the bottom of the shoe.
 234. Theshoe of claim 127, wherein the bottom surface of the rear sole has aperimeter and a center located beneath the approximate center of thecalcaneus of the wearer of the shoe, the rear sole further including arearward portion and an opposite forward portion below the heel regionof the upper, the bottom surface having at least two portions which arebeveled in different directions away from the center of the rear sole,each of the beveled portions defining at least in part the perimeter ofthe rear sole.
 235. The shoe of claim 234, wherein one of the at leasttwo beveled portions is located at least in part in the forward portionof the rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward a front of theshoe.
 236. The shoe of claim 234, wherein one of the at least twobeveled portions is located at least in part in the rearward portion ofthe rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward the rear of theshoe.
 237. The shoe of claim 234, wherein one of the at least twobeveled portions is located at least in part in the forward portion ofthe rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward a front of theshoe and one of the at least two beveled portions is located at least inpart in the rearward portion of the rear sole and is oriented at leastin part toward the rear of the shoe.
 238. The shoe of claim 127, whereinthe rear sole has a perimeter, a rearward portion and an oppositeforward portion connected below the heel region, the bottom surface ofthe rear sole including at least one substantially planar portion and atleast two portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planarportion, the non-planar portions being positioned proximate theperimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by otherportions of the bottom surface of the rear sole, each of the non-planarportions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottomsurface of the rear sole in a direction toward the perimeter of the rearsole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate therearward portion of the rear sole, and at least a portion of another ofthe at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portionof the rear sole.
 239. The shoe of claim 127, further including an archbridge positioned below at least a portion of the arch region of theupper, the arch bridge including a lower surface having an elevatedportion that is non-ground-engaging, the elevated portion of the lowersurface of the arch bridge being visible from outside of the shoe. 240.The shoe of claim 239, wherein the elevated portion of the lower surfaceof the arch bridge is visible from the bottom of the shoe between theground-engaging surfaces of the forward sole and the rear sole.
 241. Theshoe of claim 239, wherein the arch bridge comprises at least a portionof the bottom of the shoe.
 242. The shoe of claim 239, wherein the archbridge is integrally formed with the heel support.
 243. The shoe ofclaim 239, wherein the arch bridge is formed of the same material as theheel support.
 244. The shoe of claim 239, wherein the arch bridge andthe heel support are molded as a one-piece construction.
 245. The shoeof claim 239, wherein the elevated portion of the lower surface of thearch bridge extends from a medial side of the shoe to a lateral side ofthe shoe.
 246. The shoe of claim 239, wherein the elevated portion ofthe lower surface of the arch bridge extends below at least asubstantial portion of the arch region of the upper.
 247. The shoe ofclaim 239, wherein the elevated portion of the lower surface of the archbridge extends below substantially the entire arch region of the upper.248. The shoe of claim 239, wherein at least a forward portion of theelevated portion of the lower surface of the arch bridge proximate themedial side of the shoe is inclined upwardly in a direction toward therear of the shoe.
 249. The shoe of claim 239, wherein at least arearward portion of the elevated portion of the lower surface of thearch bridge proximate a medial side of the shoe is inclined upwardly ina direction toward a front of the shoe.
 250. The shoe of claim 239,further including at least one wall integral with the arch bridgeproximate at least one of a medial side of the shoe and a lateral sideof the shoe and extending in an upwardly direction from the arch bridge,the at least one wall of the arch bridge being visible at least in partfrom outside the shoe.
 251. The shoe of claim 239, further including aninflated cushion located at least in part between a portion of the upperand a portion of the bottom of the shoe, the inflated cushion having atop, a bottom and a vertical central axis passing through the top andthe bottom of the inflated cushion.
 252. The shoe of claim 239, furtherincluding a flexible plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, aninterior portion and peripheral portions and positioned between at leasta portion of the bottom of the shoe and at least a portion of the heelregion of the upper, the plate being in contact with at least a portionof the heel support.
 253. The shoe of claim 127, wherein the upperincludes an open interior, further including at least one openingextending in an upwardly direction from the bottom of the shoe the atleast one opening being in air communication with the open interior ofthe upper.
 254. A shoe comprising: a bottom, a medial side and a lateralside; an upper having a forward region, an arch region and a heelregion; a rear sole below at least a portion of the heel region of theupper, the rear sole including a midsole material, the rear sole havinga bottom surface formed of a material that is at least in partground-engaging, the rear sole having a width from the medial side ofthe shoe to the lateral side of the shoe; a heel support integrallyformed of a material different from the material of the ground-engagingsurface of the rear sole, the heel support having a top, a bottom, amedial side, a lateral side and a rear, at least a portion of the medialside, the lateral side and the rear of the heel support being in aircommunication with and visible from the outside of the shoe, the heelsupport including a rim proximate the top of the heel support extendinginwardly at least in part from at least a portion of one of the medialside, the lateral side and the rear of the heel support to define anopening in the top of the heel support, the opening having a dimensionalong the width of the rear sole that is greater than one-quarter thewidth of the rear sole, the rim having a lower surface oriented towardat least a portion of the bottom of the shoe, the heel support having aportion proximate the bottom of the heel support that extends inwardlyat least in part from each of the medial side, the lateral side and therear of the heel support, the inwardly extending portion of the bottomof the heel support having an upper surface spaced apart from andsubstantially parallel with the lower surface of the rim, the heelsupport including at least one window in at least one of the medialside, the lateral side and the rear of the heel support, at least aportion of the midsole material of the rear sole being in aircommunication with and visible from the outside of the shoe through theat least one window.
 255. The shoe of claim 254, further including asubstantially air-tight enclosure located at least in part between aportion of the upper and a portion of the bottom of the shoe, theair-tight enclosure having a top, a bottom and a vertical central axispassing through the top and the bottom of the air-tight enclosure. 256.The shoe of claim 254, wherein the shoe has a forward sole that includesan air-tight enclosure.
 257. The shoe of claim 255, wherein a portion ofthe air-tight enclosure is at least in part curved.
 258. The shoe ofclaim 257, wherein the at least in part curved portion of the air-tightenclosure is curved in a direction substantially perpendicular to thevertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 259. The shoe of claim257, wherein the at least in part curved portion of the air-tightenclosure is curved in a direction substantially parallel with thevertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 260. The shoe of claim257, wherein the at least in part curved portion of the air-tightenclosure is curved in a direction substantially parallel with thevertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure and in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of theair-tight enclosure.
 261. The shoe of claim 257, wherein the at least inpart curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate in shape in adirection substantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis ofthe air-tight enclosure.
 262. The shoe of claim 257, wherein the atleast in part curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate inshape in a direction substantially parallel with the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure.
 263. The shoe of claim 257, wherein theat least in part curved portion of the air-tight enclosure is arcuate inshape in a direction substantially parallel with the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure and in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.264. The shoe of claim 255, wherein at least one of the top and thebottom of the air-tight enclosure has a portion that is generally flatand perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tightenclosure.
 265. The shoe of claim 255, wherein each of the top and thebottom of the air-tight enclosure has a portion that is generally flatand perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the air-tightenclosure.
 266. The shoe of claim 255, wherein at least a portion of thebottom of the air-tight enclosure is generally flat and perpendicular tothe vertical central axis of the air-tight enclosure.
 267. The shoe ofclaim 255, wherein at least a portion of the top of the air-tightenclosure is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical centralaxis of the air-tight enclosure.
 268. (canceled)
 269. The shoe of claim255, wherein the air-tight enclosure has at least one exterior portionthat is in air communication with and visible from the outside of theshoe.
 270. The shoe of claim 254, further including an inflated cushionlocated at least in part between a portion of the upper and a portion ofthe bottom of the shoe, the inflated cushion having a top, a bottom anda vertical central axis passing through the top and the bottom of theinflated cushion.
 271. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the shoe has aforward sole that includes an inflated cushion.
 272. The shoe of claim270, wherein the inflated cushion includes a bladder.
 273. The shoe ofclaim 272, wherein the bladder is an air bladder.
 274. The shoe of claim270, wherein a portion of the inflated cushion is at least in partcurved.
 275. The shoe of claim 274, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is curved in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion. 276.The shoe of claim 274, wherein the at least in part curved portion ofthe inflated cushion is curved in a direction substantially parallel tothe vertical central axis of the inflated cushion.
 277. The shoe ofclaim 274, wherein the at least in part curved portion of the inflatedcushion is curved in a direction substantially parallel with thevertical central axis of the inflated cushion and in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 278. The shoe of claim 274, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 279. The shoe of claim 274, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in a directionsubstantially parallel with the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion.
 280. The shoe of claim 274, wherein the at least in part curvedportion of the inflated cushion is arcuate in shape in a directionsubstantially parallel with the vertical central axis of the inflatedcushion and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 281. The shoe of claim 270,wherein at least one of the top and the bottom of the inflated cushionhas a portion that is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 282. The shoe of claim 270,wherein each of the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion has aportion that is generally flat and perpendicular to the vertical centralaxis of the inflated cushion.
 283. The shoe of claim 270, wherein atleast a portion of the bottom of the inflated cushion is generally flatand perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion.284. The shoe of claim 270, wherein at least a portion of the top of theinflated cushion is generally flat and perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion.
 285. (canceled)
 286. The shoe ofclaim 270, wherein the inflated cushion has at least one exteriorportion that is in air communication with and visible from the outsideof the shoe.
 287. The shoe of claim 286, wherein the at least oneexterior portion of the inflated cushion spans a major longitudinal axisof the shoe from a medial side of the major longitudinal axis of theshoe to a lateral side of the major longitudinal axis of the shoe. 288.The shoe of claim 270, wherein at least a portion of the inflatedcushion is located in a forward portion of the rear sole and spans froma point on the medial side of the shoe to a point on the lateral side ofthe shoe.
 289. The shoe of claim 270, wherein the shoe includes a majorlongitudinal axis and the rear sole has a vertical central axis passingthrough the bottom of the shoe and the heel region of the upper, thevertical central axis of the rear sole being perpendicular to the majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe, the inflated cushion completelysurrounding the vertical central axis of the rear sole in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the rearsole.
 290. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the shoe includes a majorlongitudinal axis and the rear sole has a vertical central axis passingthrough the bottom of the shoe and the heel region of the upper, thevertical central axis of the rear sole being perpendicular to the majorlongitudinal axis of the shoe, the vertical central axis of the rearsole being completely surrounded by at least one inflated cushion in aplane perpendicular to the vertical central axis of the rear sole. 291.The shoe of claim 254, wherein the rear sole includes only one inflatedcushion.
 292. The shoe of claim 291, wherein the inflated cushionincludes only one chamber.
 293. The shoe of claim 292, wherein thechamber is located entirely within the rear sole.
 294. The shoe of claim291, wherein the shoe has a forward sole that includes at least oneinflated cushion.
 295. The shoe of claim 291, wherein the shoe has aforward sole that includes a plurality of inflated cushions.
 296. Theshoe of claim 270, wherein the shoe includes a major longitudinal axisand the rear sole has a vertical central axis passing through the bottomof the shoe and the heel region of the upper, the vertical central axisof the rear sole being perpendicular to the major longitudinal axis ofthe shoe, the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion beingcoincident with the vertical central axis of the rear sole.
 297. Theshoe of claim 270, wherein the inflated cushion has at least onesidewall that is in air communication with and visible from the outsideof the shoe, the at least one sidewall being curved along a majority ofthe distance between the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion.298. The shoe of claim 297, wherein the at least one sidewall has agenerally uniform thickness.
 299. The shoe of claim 270, wherein atleast a portion of the inflated cushion is located proximate the lateralside of the shoe, at least a portion of the inflated cushion is locatedproximate the medial side of the shoe and at least a portion of theinflated cushion is located proximate a rear of the shoe, the portionsbeing in communication with one another.
 300. The shoe of claim 274,wherein the at least in part curved portion of the inflated cushion hasthe shape of an arc of a circle.
 301. The shoe of claim 270, wherein theinflated cushion has an interior chamber with a height parallel to thevertical central axis of the inflated cushion, the interior chamberhaving a maximum cross sectional dimension perpendicular to the verticalcentral axis of the inflated cushion that is greater than the height ofthe interior chamber.
 302. The shoe of claim 270, wherein the rear soleincludes a layer of outsole material that forms the ground engagingsurface of the rear sole, each of the inflated cushion, the inwardlyextending portion of the bottom of the heel support and the layer havinga portion proximate the rear of the shoe that is curved in a planeperpendicular to the vertical central axis of the inflated cushion fromthe medial side of the shoe to the lateral side of the shoe, the shapeof the curve of each of the rear portions of the inflated cushion, theinwardly extending portion and the layer being substantially the same.303. (canceled)
 304. The shoe of claim 302, wherein the curve of each ofthe rear portions of the inflated cushion, the inwardly extendingportion of the bottom of the heel support and the layer of outsolematerial is substantially semi-circular.
 305. The shoe of claim 254,wherein the heel support is made of a durable plastic material.
 306. Theshoe of claim 254, wherein the at least one window generally forms theshape of a quadrilateral.
 307. The shoe of claim 254, further includingat least a second window on at least one of the medial side, the lateralside and the rear of the heel support.
 308. The shoe of claim 307,wherein two of the windows are directly opposite one another.
 309. Theshoe of claim 254, including at least one window in the medial side, atleast one window in the lateral side and at least one window in the rearof the heel support.
 310. The shoe of claim 309, wherein two of thewindows are directly opposite one another.
 311. The shoe of claim 254,wherein the at least one window includes a plurality of windows, atleast two of the windows being located on the medial side of the heelsupport and at least two of the windows being located on the lateralside of the heel support.
 312. The shoe of claim 254, wherein at leastone of the at least one window is located on a rear of the shoe. 313.The shoe of claim 254, wherein the at least one window includes at leastthree windows.
 314. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the at least onewindow includes at least four windows.
 315. The shoe of claim 254,wherein the at least one window includes at least five windows.
 316. Theshoe of claim 254, wherein the at least one window includes at least sixwindows.
 317. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the shoe includes a majorlongitudinal axis, the rear sole having a vertical central axisperpendicular to the major longitudinal axis of the shoe and passingthrough the bottom of the shoe and the heel region of the upper, the rimincluding an upper surface opposite the lower surface and an interioredge connecting the upper and lower surfaces of the rim, the interioredge being oriented at least in part toward the vertical central axis ofthe rear sole.
 318. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the heel supportincludes a portion extending upwardly from the rim on at least one ofthe medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and a rear ofthe shoe.
 319. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the heel support includesa portion extending upwardly from the rim on each of the medial side ofthe shoe, the lateral side of the shoe and the rear of the shoe. 320.The shoe of claim 318, wherein the upwardly extending portion above therim is in air communication with and visible from the outside of theshoe.
 321. The shoe of claim 318, wherein the upwardly extending portionabove the rim is in air communication with and visible from the outsideof the shoe from the medial side of the shoe, the lateral side of theshoe and the rear of the shoe.
 322. The shoe of claim 254, wherein thelower surface of the rim, the wall and the upper surface of the inwardlyextending portion of the bottom of the heel support form a recess forreceiving a portion of the midsole of the shoe.
 323. The shoe of claim254, wherein the opening in the top of the heel support has a dimensionalong the width of the rear sole that is greater than one-half the widthof the rear sole.
 324. The shoe of claim 254, wherein the heel supportcompletely separates a material forming a portion of the forward solefrom the ground-engaging surface of the rear sole.
 325. The shoe ofclaim 254, wherein at least a portion of the ground-engaging surfaces ofthe forward sole and the rear sole are made of a rubber material. 326.The shoe of claim 254, wherein the ground-engaging surface of the rearsole includes an opening therein that exposes a plastic material, theplastic material being visible from the bottom of the shoe.
 327. Theshoe of claim 254, wherein the bottom surface of the rear sole has aperimeter and a center located beneath the approximate center of thecalcaneus of the wearer of the shoe, the rear sole further including arearward portion and an opposite forward portion below the heel regionof the upper, the bottom surface having at least two portions which arebeveled in different directions away from the center of the rear sole,each of the beveled portions defining at least in part the perimeter ofthe rear sole.
 328. The shoe of claim 327, wherein one of the at leasttwo beveled portions is located at least in part in the forward portionof the rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward a front of theshoe.
 329. The shoe of claim 327, wherein one of the at least twobeveled portions is located at least in part in the rearward portion ofthe rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward the rear of theshoe.
 330. The shoe of claim 327, wherein one of the at least twobeveled portions is located at least in part in the forward portion ofthe rear sole and is oriented at least in part toward a front of theshoe and one of the at least two beveled portions is located at least inpart in the rearward portion of the rear sole and is oriented at leastin part toward the rear of the shoe.
 331. The shoe of claim 254, whereinthe rear sole has a perimeter, a rearward portion and an oppositeforward portion below the heel region, the bottom surface of the rearsole including at least one substantially planar portion and at leasttwo portions non-planar with the at least one substantially planarportion, the non-planar portions being positioned proximate theperimeter of the rear sole and separated from each other by otherportions of the bottom surface of the rear sole, each of the non-planarportions being inclined upwardly from another portion of the bottomsurface of the rear sole in a direction toward the perimeter of the rearsole, one of the at least two non-planar portions being proximate therearward portion of the rear sole, and at least a portion of another ofthe at least two non-planar portions being proximate the forward portionof the rear sole.
 332. The shoe of claim 254, further including an archbridge positioned below at least a portion of the arch region of theupper, the arch bridge including a lower surface having an elevatedportion that is non-ground-engaging, the elevated portion of the lowersurface of the arch bridge being visible from outside of the shoe. 333.The shoe of claim 332, wherein the elevated portion of the lower surfaceof the arch bridge is visible from the bottom of the shoe.
 334. The shoeof claim 332, wherein the arch bridge comprises at least a portion ofthe bottom of the shoe.
 335. The shoe of claim 332, wherein the archbridge is integrally formed with the heel support.
 336. The shoe ofclaim 332, wherein the arch bridge is formed of the same material as theheel support.
 337. The shoe of claim 332, wherein the arch bridge andthe heel support are molded as a one-piece construction.
 338. The shoeof claim 332, wherein the elevated portion of the lower surface of thearch bridge extends from the medial side of the shoe to the lateral sideof the shoe.
 339. The shoe of claim 332, wherein the elevated portion ofthe lower surface of the arch bridge extends below at least asubstantial portion of the arch region of the upper.
 340. The shoe ofclaim 332, wherein the elevated portion of the lower surface of the archbridge extends below substantially the entire arch region of the upper.341. The shoe of claim 332, wherein at least a forward portion of theelevated portion of the lower surface of the arch bridge proximate themedial side of the shoe is inclined upwardly in a direction toward arear of the shoe.
 342. The shoe of claim 332, wherein at least arearward portion of the elevated portion of the lower surface of thearch bridge proximate the medial side of the shoe is inclined upwardlyin a direction toward a front of the shoe.
 343. The shoe of claim 332,further including at least one wall integral with the arch bridgeproximate at least one of the medial side of the shoe and the lateralside of the shoe and extending in an upwardly direction from the archbridge, the at least one wall of the arch bridge being visible at leastin part from outside the shoe.
 344. The shoe of claim 332, furtherincluding an inflated cushion located at least in part between a portionof the upper and a portion of the bottom of the shoe, the inflatedcushion having a top, a bottom and a vertical central axis passingthrough the top and the bottom of the inflated cushion.
 345. The shoe ofclaim 254, wherein the upper includes an open interior, furtherincluding at least one opening extending in an upwardly direction fromthe bottom of the shoe, the at least one opening being in aircommunication with the open interior of the upper.